Swivel caster



Jan. 31, 1,928. Re, 16,864,v kx ..w.`|= ramr-| l SWIVEL cAsTEa Original Filed Aug. '7. 1924 7 .fbPe?" Remue! Jan. 31, 192s.

i UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DONALD W. PERIN, F BROOKLINE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR, lBY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO PEKIN-WALSH COMPANY, 0F BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS. A CORPORA- TION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

SWIVEL CASTER.

Original No. 1,599,485, dated September 14, 1926, Serial No. 730,604, filed August 7, 1924. Application for reissue led November 11, 1926. Serial No. 147,835.

This invention relates to swivel casters which are artieularly adapted to be mounted `on the lottom of containers, trucks, etc., for facilitating movement from place to place.

Containers which are loaded upon vehicles such as automobile trucks, ships and freight cars are ordinarily mounted upon swivel casters to facilitate movement onto and oil' l0 from the vehicle. When the container is rolled onto the vehicle the caster must be locked against rotative movement so that the jars and jonnces of the vehicle do not af-, feet the containers which otherwise would be l5 shaken from the vehicle. It is also Vdesirable in this instance to prevent the easter from swiveling when rolled from restricted places because the casters tend to swivel in opposite directions and consequently can not roll freely but must slide until the ent-ire set are reversed. This often results in brokenv casters, and of course is extremely troublesome. y

Objects of the invention are to provide a swivel caster which is capable of being locked from both rotative and swiveling movement; to provide a new and improved anti-friction 'bearing arrangement to enable the caster efliciently to operate under heavy loads; and

to provide a easter which is Sturdy and rugged. has relatively few parts, is inexpensive to manufacture andA `has the novel features of construction and arrangement hereinafter described.

which may readily be locked positively against swiveling movement as well as rotative movement of the caster wheel. Preferably the locking arrangement is such that the swiveling movement of the caster may be checked or prevented selectively in 'one of several positions. The lock for the wheel is adapted to lock the wheel against rotation in any position, preferably indeplendentl operated from'the swivellock of t e whee It is also eontemplategLto provide a relatively large bearing area for swiveling preferably employing both ball and roller bearin 'so that the caster will readily swivel about substantially a vertical axis and rotate regardless of the load imposed thereon.

The invention is illustrated in one of its Generally, this invention provides a caster `3 connected to but rotatable relatively to the plate 1. Integral with the bottom of the circular plate 3 are a pair of inclined forks 4 between which a wheel 5 is suitably journaled, so that the caster when mounted is able to rotate between the forks 4 and also swivel about a substantially vertical axis through an are of 360.

The plate 3 is rotatable with respect to the plate 1 and for this purpose the platev 3 is provided with an upstanding exteriorly threaded hollow boss 6 extending through a ,central opening in the plate 1, the upper surface of the boss being nearly flush with the surface of the plate 1. Screwed onto the boss 6 are a pair of rings 7 and 8, and the ring 7 provides a race for ball bearings 9 disposed in an annular groove in the plate 1, the ring 8 serving to lock the ring 7 against movement. A cover disc 8 is secured to the plate 1 as by screws and prevents the access of dirt or grit to the bearings 9. In order to receive the thrust from the wheel 5, frusto-conical roller bearings 10 are provided between the plates 1 and 3 mounted in an annular groove in the plate 1. As shown a passage 10' is provided in the plate 1 into which lubricant -may be forced for lubricating both series of bearings and as mounted 'a relatively large bearing surface is provided thus permitting the caster to swivel readily 'under heavy loads. By reason. of the fact that the roller bearings 10 .and the' ball bearings 9 are so arranged that both are eut by a single plane to which the axis ofl the central openlng in the plate 1 is perpendicular a very compact and rigid arrangement is produced in which for a given height. of easter the wheel diameter maybe made as large as possible.

It is often desirable to lock thel wheels from rotating and accordingly the wheel 5 is provided with a series of grooves 11 u on opposite faces about the entire circum er'- ence. The arms of a 'yoke 12 are arranged to extend into a groove on each face of the wheel, thus positively locking the `wheel against rotation. By providingv a plurality of grooves about the wheel. rotation thereof can be prevented in any position. By reason of the constructionof the recesses 11 without blind bottoms a substantial advantage is obtained over constructions in which holes are four notches 21 one of the notches swiveling mirably to the needs simply drilled for a distance into the periph'- eries of caster wheels. yWith the latter form of construction the -holes soon become so filled up with dirt that locking of the wheels is a virtual impossibility without the labor of periodicall cleaning out accumulated material from t e holes.

In order to o erate the locking yoke 12, arms 13 integra with the yoke extend at substantially. right angl therefrom and are provided with a pin 14 secured to thev forks 4 at opposite ends. Connected to the intermediate portion of the varms 13 andmovable invan elongated .slot 15 is an up` right pin 16 which'extends through the plate 3 and is provided with a head 17. In order to raise the pin 16 to release the oke 12 from the ves 11- in the wheel, a ever 18 is pivote 'to lu 19^on the plate 1 and is formel with bi h h d 17 H range to enga e t e .ea y o'wever normally` the yoie 13 is held in locking po:

sition by a spring 20 mounted in a recess in the boss 6 so that unless the pin 16 is raised to disengage the yoke 12 the wheel is locked from rotation.

When mountedjthe casters tend to swivel to therear, butif the several casters startl to swivel to reverse position in op osite directions they can not roll freely, ut must slide until all are reversed. To overcome AA caster 'constructed similarly asy described. may be vused in a variety of places wherever vehicles are movable from one place to another, and because of the relatively small number of parts and compact and sturdy construction it lends itself adof service. I claim: -4 1 1. A caster comprisin in combination, a wheel, a mounting there or relative to which vhavin a cated ends which are arnaastA the same is rotatable on its axis, said wheel i having a lockin recess opening throu h the peripheral sur ace of the wheel an also opening through another boundin surface o the wheel, and means engageab e in said recess to prevent rotation of said wh eel.

. 2. A caster comprisin in combination, a'

wheel, a mounting there or relative to which the same is rotatable on lits axis, said wheel having a recess therein having an openin through a surface of the wheel into whic an element may move to lock said wheel against rotation and a second opening through a surface of said wheel in alignment with said lirst mentioned opening, and

means engageable with said opening to prevent rotation of said wheel.

3. A caster comprisin in combination, a wheel, a mounting there or relative to which said wheel is rotatable on its axis; said wheel eripheral surface and opposite latera sur aces'and notches in said lateral .surfaces vopening through said peripheral surfaces, and means enga eable in a plurality of said notches simu taneously to hold said wheel against rotation.

4. A caster comprisin in combinaton, a I wheel, a mounting there or relatlve to which said wheel is rotatable on `its axis, said wheel having a lurality of pairs of substantially radial y extending notches, the notches of said pairs bein arranged at opposite sides of said whee, and means engageable simultaneously with both notches `of a pair to hold said wheel against rotation.

' 5. A swivel caster comprising a member for mounting the caster and a second member-rotatable relative to said first member,

means carried by said second member for rotatively sup orting a wheel, a wheel suported thereg a lever on said second. memr engageable with said wheel to preclude rotation thereof, a lever ivota'lly mounted on said first member opera le to control said first mentioned lever, and operative connections between said levers including an element extending along the axis of rotation of .said second member.

6. A swivel caster `com rising a stationary portion, a portion swiveled thereon for rotation on a vertical axis and providing a support for a wheel rotatable on a horizontal-axis, a wheel rotatably supported thereon for rotation asv specified', and means for klocking said wheel against rotation including a ver pivoted on said wheel supporting portion upon a fulcrum oifset'from the axis of swiveling of said supporting portion, a second lever pivoted on said stationary portion, and a connection between said 1e-` vers coincident with the axis of swiveling.-

7. Aswivel caster com rising a -stationrotation on an axis perpendicular to said portioma portion swlvled thereon for A perpendicu ar, means 'fo lying in a lane'yftovwhichfth l/,axis is against rotation includingf-A r io swivel portion fulcrumed for pivotal movement-n an-axisoisetfromlihe a ris of said. swivel, land means Von said i;tzxtix nary portion operatively connected with -said lever for controlling theieve'r inallthe positions of said swiveled portion.

8. A castercomprising a head for vattachment to a vehicle, a wheel journaled on said head and having a series of grooves on o pposed faces thereof, 'a lever on said head movable toenter a groove in both faces of the wheel thereby. positively `to prevent rotation thereof, a spring for normally holding said lever in engagement with said wheel and means for disengaging said lever from the wheel. v y v 9. A castercomprising ajhead composed of relatively rotatable parts, one part bein adapted for mounting the caster, a whee journaled on the other part and havin'g a series of grooves on opposed faces thereof, a lever on said other part movable to enter a groove in 'both faces yof the wheelthereby positively to prevent rotation thereof, a

' spring for normally holding said lever in engagement with said wheel, lmeans on said first part for disengaging said lever from the wheel, and a lever also on ,said first part movable positively to engage said other part for preventing re ative rotationlthereof.

10. A caster com rising a head composed of relatively rotata le parts, one part being-v adapted forxmounting the caster, a wheel 'ournaled on the other part, means on said ead normally engaging said wheel locking said wheel'against rotation, means for disengaging sald locking means, and means on said first part movable to engage said other4 art for preventing relative rotation thereof while said first mentioned means is inoperative. v,

11; A caster com rising a head composed of relatively rotata le parts, a wheel journaled in one part, "means, engageable with said wheel 1n different rotative position for reventlng rotation of said wheel, and in- Y ependent means on one of said parts move to engage the other part for preventing turning of said wheel about a vertical axls.

12. A swivel caster comprising a pair of superposed members, a wheel journaled on the lower member, the upper` member being provided with an aperture, a projection on said lower member extending through said aperture, one of said members being provlded with a oove adjacent the outer periphery thereo anti-friction bearings in said groove, a plate removably connected to said projection, an inner concentric ring of antifriction bearings between'the underside of said plate and upper member, and means for locking said ring in place, said bearings being so disposed that both sets are cut by a single plane to which the axis of said aperture is perpendicular.

13. A swivel caster comprising a pair of superposed members, a wheel journaled on the lower member, a projection on said lower member extending through an aperture in the upper member, one of said members being provided with a circumferential groove adjacent its Aouter periphery, frusta-conical roller bearings mounted in said groove be tween said members, a plate secured to said projection, and anti-friction bearings between said plate and upper member, said bearings being'so disposed that both sets are cut by a single planeto which the axis of said aperture is perpendicular.

1 4. A swivel caster comprising a. pair of superposed members, a wheel journaled on the lower member, a rejection on said lower member extending t rough an aperture in the upper member, said upper member being providedv with a circumferential groove` adjacent its outer periphery, lfrusto-conical roller bearings in said groove between said members, a plate removably connected to said project-ion, andan inner ring ofI ball bearings concentric to said roller bearings betweenthe underside of said plate and upper member, said bearings being so disposed that both sets arecut bya single plane to which the axis of said aperture is perpendicular.

l15.v A caster comprising, incombination, a wheel, a mounting therefor, said wheel having a locking recess in. the side thereof the sides of the recess being approximately 'parallel with the axis of the wheel, and a .pivoted locking lug movable relative to said mounting into said recess to lock the' wheel vagainst rotation on-its axis.

16. A swivel caster for freight containers and the'like comprising-a head for ,fixed atl tachment to 'a container, a yoke swiveled in the head, the-yokejhaving a locking recess in its periphery, and a locking lug movably mounted on the'head to engage said recess, thereby to lock the caster agamst swiveling 17. A swivel caster for frei ht containers and the like comprising a ead, a yoke swiveled in the head, the yoke havlng a circular ortion concentric with the swivel axis with ockinfl recesses therein, and locking means movably mountedon the head to move into said recesses selectively, thereby to lock the caster against swiveling in different positions.

18. A swivel caster for freight containers and the like comprising a head for lixed attachment to a container, a yoke swiveled in the head and havinga loc ing recess in a portion thereof, and a locking lug mounted on said h'ead to move into said recess, said ortion of the oke sliding past the locking ug until the ,ug registers with the recess when the lug is actuated toward locking po sition during swiveling movement.

19. Aswivel caster for freight containers and the like comprisinga head for fixed attachment to a' container, a yoke swiveled in the head and having beneath the head a circular peripher' provided with locking recesses, and a oc ing lug pivoted on said head to swing into one of said recesses.

20. A swivel casier for frei ht containers and the likelcomprising a hea for fixed attachment to a container, the head having an axial opening, a yoke having a peripheral portion underneath said head and a art extending into said' o ning. axial an radial bearings between vsald head and part in said opening, axial bearings between said head and portion, and a locking lug ivoted on said head'- for engagement in a loc ing recess in said peripheral-portion of the yoke.

21. A swivel caster for freight containers and the like comprising manual control meansmovable to operative position in any swivel position ofthe caster. and means automatically responsive to said control means when the caster is rolled into predetermined position for locking the caster against rollmg. s

22. A swivel caster comprising a stationary portion, a portion swiveled thereon for rotation on a vertical axis and providing a sup rt for a wheel rotatable on ka horizonta axis, a wheel rotatably supported thereon for rotation as specified, and means for locking said wheel against rotation includingga lever pivoted on said wheel supporting portion, a second lever pivotedon said stationary portion, and a connection between said levers coincident with the axis of swvelin 23. A swlvel'caster comprising a' stationaryportion, a portion swiveled thereon for rotation. on an axis perpendicular tosaid first mentioned portion, said swiveled' portion, carryin a wheel rotatable on an axis lying in a ane vto which the swivel axis is perpendicu ar, means for locking said wheel against rotation including a lever on saidv swivel portionz and means on said stationary ortion operatively connected with said leve'r or controlling the lever in all the positions of said swiveled portion.

24. A swivel caster comprising a member for mounting the `caster and a second member rotatable relative to said first member, means carried by-.said second member for rotative'ly supporting a wheel, a wheel supported thereby, a lever on said second member cngagcable with said wheel to preclude rotation thereof, a lever pivotally mounted on said first member operable to control said first mentioned lever. and an operative con-A nection between said levers including an elei ment extending through an aperture in the center Vof said first member.

l 25. A caster comprising a head for attachment to a vehicle, 'a wheel jonrnaled on said head and having aseries of grooves on a face thereof, a levcr on said head movable to enter any one ofl said grooves thereby positively to prevent rotation thereof, a spring for normally holding said lever in engagement with said wheel and means for disengaging said lever from the wheel.

26. A swivel caster comprising a stationary'head. a rotary head. roller bearings between said heads, and means extending through openings in said heads for locking the caster roller.

27. A swivel caster comprising-a stationary head having` anv opening therein, a rotary head having a projection extending through said opening, a bearing plate surrounding said projection, roller bearin s between said plate and stationary hea and means for adjusting said plate on said projection.

28. A swivel caster for freight containers and the like comprising a head member for fixed attachment to a container, a yoke member swiveled in the head, one of said members having a locking recess in its periphery. anda locking lug movably mounted on the other nember, to engage said recess, thereby to lock the.'caster against swiveling.

Signed by me at Boston, Massachusetts, this 6th day of October, 1926.

DONALD w. PERIN. 

